Albion head a few junctions up the motorway this week to the pot making capital of the world to take on Stoke. Much improved performance last week against Chelsea.
Less encouraging in the week against Port Vale, but we are through. #passports
From one set of biscuit munching inbreds to another, it's Stoke City next. Mark Hughes has transformed our opponents from negative and boring to tippy tappy and boring. This has always been a big game - for Stoke- so expect them to come out firing for Pulis's return to the Brit.
Brunt injured for this with a hamstring injury, so expect anyone other than our only recognised left back to play there.
Right time to throw Berahino back in?
Who should be CB pairing?
Will Pulis allow any of our players to cross the halfway line away from home?
Thoughts, predictions blah, blah...
Stoke vs Albion
posted on 29/8/15
Those who say a win is a win are so shortsighted as if Stoke had kept 11 on the pitch, we would have been beaten easily.
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But they didn't though did they?
And we got the 3 points and currently sit comfortable on 4 point despite playing last seasons Champions, last seasons runners up, a buoyant newly promoted team and our bogey team away.
Performances and creativity will come when the transfer window is closed and we get a settled side! For now....points on the board is all that matters.
I'll let you dwell on the what ifs, I'll enjoy the 3 points.
posted on 29/8/15
Last 6 away games -
#1 3 minutes ago
Crystal Palace
Man United
Newcastle
Arsenal
Watford
Stoke
Won 3, drawn 2, lost 1.
posted on 29/8/15
comment by JH (U18654)
posted 29 minutes ago
Those who say a win is a win are so shortsighted as if Stoke had kept 11 on the pitch, we would have been beaten easily.
-----------------------
But they didn't though did they?
And we got the 3 points and currently sit comfortable on 4 point despite playing last seasons Champions, last seasons runners up, a buoyant newly promoted team and our bogey team away.
Performances and creativity will come when the transfer window is closed and we get a settled side! For now....points on the board is all that matters.
I'll let you dwell on the what ifs, I'll enjoy the 3 points.
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JH, if you think the result and three points is more important than the garbage performance we gave today, you are entitled to your opinion but God help us in the future if we continue to play like we have since the start of the season.
With Pulis in control things ain't going to change buddy. He's only interested in 6ft 6in centre halves who park the bus and have no pace or creativity.
Presume you, like me, were at the game today to witness Stoke with NINE men being the better team ?
posted on 29/8/15
I was not.
Circumstances out of my control prevented me.
Shame. Always love to see the boys take 3 points away from home
posted on 29/8/15
You're both right. A win is win and 3 points is never to be sniffed at however it is achieved. However it remains a concern that our primary objective seems to be stopping the oppostion rather than creative football ourselves.
The sendings afforded us the opportunity of a rarity - an easy win and a chance to improve the goal difference and we were not up to the task.
posted on 29/8/15
If you were at the Chelsea match you would've seen we are capable of getting the ball down, creating chances and scoring goals.
Whilst we would've loved to of came away with a comfortable 4-0 win, that very rarely happens in this league, even with men sent off. We were professional and got the job done. Came away with 3 points and that's all that ultimately matters.
We've endured enough from that bunch to enjoy a result against them, however it came.
posted on 29/8/15
Only One, we have only lost at Sjoke once in five seasons so perhaps they are not the bogey team we think they are.
I'm staggered that the only thing some care about is the three points, and not care about the manner in which we achieved them! We have, or are, becoming the new Stoke who we all despised on these boards not so long ago. Now, all that matters is the points even though the performance was the pits.
posted on 29/8/15
I'm aware our record at Stoke is surprisingly good recently. Still only 2 wins in the last 30odd years is pretty dire
We are not the only team who will play defensively to get results, at least half of the league sets up negatively in certain matches. Or could be labelled as 'parking the bus'. And whether people like it or not it is because this is an effective way to accrue points in this league.
Today was all about the result, we absolutely needed a win to get that monkey off our back. If we play with no ambition every game of the season but survive, then I will agree with you. But I doubt if that will be the case, you have to pick and choose your opportunities. Southampton is a fantastic opportunity to get another win, and put in a performance more like the chelsea game
Onwards and upwards
posted on 30/8/15
We should have gone for a second goal to kill the game off instead of sitting back, inviting them onto us. Imagine if they'd got an equaliser. That would have been unforgivable against nine men.
posted on 30/8/15
@ChairmanWBA: A few years ago #SCFC fans sang: "Shove your fancy football up your arse."
So we did.
And they're still not happy.
No pleasing some. #WBA